Robert Griffin III: Breaking Down Redskins' Offense with RG3 at the Helm

Sitting with the No. 2 overall selection, there's no other prospect the Washington Redskins can justifiably select after the Indianapolis Colts than Robert Griffin III.

Washington is in dire need of a franchise quarterback and head coach Mike Shanahan is a great tutelary for RG3 to learn under. After all, Shanahan was the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator from 1992-1994, where he advised eventual Hall-of-Famer Steve Young.

He then became the Denver Broncos' head coach and helped John Elway win two Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998. With three Vince Lombardi Trophies to his credit, Shanahan will develop Griffin quite well.

As for the Redskins' offense, the transition won't be overly difficult and the expectations are to play better than Rex Grossman. Needless to say, RG3 will have a solid rookie campaign. To that end, let's break down Washington's offense with Griffin in the driver's seat.

Under Center

Griffin will obviously need to get acclimated to dropping back from under center. His release and mechanics are good, but with limited experience at reading coverages when setting up from under center, Griffin's feet will need to improve.

Shanahan is a coach that uses a run-oriented offense to setup the pass, and doing so presents a balanced attack. The good thing about Griffin is that his mobility adds an advantage to play-action and bootlegs.

Early in the season, expect to see Washington heavily run the ball when RG3 is under center. This will help with his development and footwork at taking snaps and eventually setup the passing game.

Lest we forget, when in Denver, Shanahan had six running backs gain over 1,000 rushing yards during his tenure. So, regardless of who's in RG3's backfield, the Redskins will run the rock effectively.

As for Griffin's mobility, expect Shanahan to have him throw on waggles, bootlegs off play-action and straight roll outs to get him moving. This also gives RG3 the option of running if no one is open to keep defenses off-balance.

The Redskins will field a balanced attack, but it won't be immediately traditional in a sense that Griffin won't be expected to drop straight back in the pocket from under center very often.

Shotgun

This is where Griffin is most dangerous as he can read defenses more clearly and feel the pass rush.

Perhaps the best attribute RG3 brings to Washington is his mobility, because the NFC East is overloaded with pass-rushers like DeMarcus Ware, Trent Cole and Jason Pierre-Paul. So, in order for Washington to also be explosive, putting Griffin where he's most comfortable is crucial.

From here, we won't see a lot of runs but quick screens are quite possible. With explosive receivers like Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan, RG3 can get a quick hit against off coverage on the outside to setup the occasional run from shotgun.

Then, play-action becomes relevant and Griffin can use his mobility to elude blitzers and make plays with his feet.

The passing game itself will be more fast-paced and short/medium throws to draw up the safeties. Griffin has spot-on accuracy, so targeting receivers over the middle and on the run won't be too much of an issue.

RG3's ability to read defenses pre-snap will be the key here, because it's his strength for one and two, the Redskins can attack on the ground or through the air any number of ways.

Audibles

Baylor undoubtedly ran a high-powered and explosive offense, but the NFL will bring more complexion to adjust on the fly.

Washington's advantage will be in Griffin learning to make audibles from shotgun to going under center. Regardless of the play, the Redskins need to spread defenses out and force opponents to use multiple defensive backs.

With that personnel on the field, RG3 can audible to under center. This in turn gives a run-play look and will increase the odds of manipulating the defense from play-action.

The same can be said when facing a traditional 4-3 or 3-4 front. Get Griffin use to audible from under center to shotgun, and his mobility becomes an advantage. Obviously the down-and-distance and game situation comes into play, but making simple audibles against specific personnel is how RG3 will develop quickly.

Just imagine Washington on third-and-short with Griffin under center against a simple 4-3 look. Then an audible to a spread formation and now the Redskins have mismatches all over.

2012 surely has hope, but Griffin's development will dictate Washington's success.

John Rozum on Twitter.